Management Lessons from the Ryder Cup victory
We often fall into the trap of generating retrospective explanations for sporting events that, in reality, hinge on some apparently minor incidents. And so, now we are told that the US victory was the result of an elaborate strategy on the part of Paul Azinger. But this time, I actually think there’s something in it!
As described in this Wall Street Journal article, Zinger’s plan of segregating his team into three sub-groups or pods, based on their personalities and playing styles certainly did help the US team find a sense of unity that had been less obvious in previous tournaments.
The most radical element of the plan was dividing the 12-man squad into three, four-man subgroups, or pods. Mr. Azinger apparently got this idea several years ago from a documentary about the military’s Special Forces and their Ryder Cup-size platoons. The Navy Seals, for instance, typically operate in 13-man units led by two officers and a chief, and frequently break down into subgroups, depending on the mission.
“Each pod was a force unto itself,” Mr. Browne said of last week’s team. Pod members played all their practice rounds together and were paired only with other pod members in the competition. Even in the Sunday singles matches, the pods went off sequentially, four by four. Each pod was assigned an assistant captain to tend to players’ needs and to keep them relaxed and “on message” — a key concept in the strategy.
Makes sense, right? If you were challenged to identify a European team strategy to match this, you’ll probably come up a little short. Perhaps the presence of DJ Spoony was supposed to be the key?
Reaction to the US Ryder Cup victory
As players and traveling spectators leave the Louisville area, many commentators all over the world are weighing in with their views and perspectives on what has just unfolded at the 37th Ryder Cup Matches. Here’s a brief sample of what the press has to offer:
- Reuters suggest that the US victory breathes life back into the Ryder Cup, following a period of European dominance.
The Europeans had held the upper hand over their opponents with regard to team unity and a relaxed but committed approach, plus the ability to hole birdie putts when they matter most.
The above observation is valid but is also the perfect description of the US team over this weekend. As always, it really does come down to who holes the most key puts.
- The LA Times also develops this ‘resuscitation’ theme and highlights the key reason for Europe’s defeat:
The most important reason why Europe lost was because its best players were borderline miserable — exactly what has happened to the U.S. in recent years.
Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood are Europe’s Big Three, but they won no matches in three days, lost seven of them and halved five others.
- Sporting Life reports on a key Azinger insight and one of the suggested reasons why the Americans worked so well together:
“You know, we just decided to come together in small groups, that was it. Beyond that, I don’t know what else to tell you.
“We put four guys together in practice rounds and they played together every day, and they were the four guys who stayed together the whole week and they were never going to come out of their little group. That’s the way I did it.
“It was about how to take small groups and just to break them up.”
While Azinger takes a lot of credit for the famous victory, Nick Faldo has been getting a lot of stick from the European press. Some of the more painful criticisms are selected here:
- Faldo’s large ego has been highlighted by many. This RTE reporter doesn’t hold back:
If Faldo was an ice cream, he’d lick himself.
- The Times was quite clinical in its destruction of Faldo’s captaincy
Faldo’s thin skin, the need to have his sports shrink by his side even out on the course and his grating sense of humour had confirmed what we knew all along, which is that he is no natural leader. But what we had not expected was that a man who had dedicated himself so much to this job would make such a colossal strategic mistake –echoing Curtis Strange’s blunder in 2002 in sending Tiger Woods out last and leaving the world’s best player stranded.
- The Telegraph really gets the boot in and you do begin to wonder how fair is some of this criticism :
Witches were given a fairer hearing in medieval Europe than that coming Faldo’s way in the Valhalla postmortem. He is about to pay the price of a lifetime of self serving, of devotion to the cult of the individual.
- Former Ryder Cup player, Christy O’Connor Jnr was very critical of Faldo on Irish radio, suggesting that Faldo had erred by not having more vice-captains around the course providing support to his players. He described the presence of Faldo’s son as ‘ridiculous’ and compared the lack of togetherness of the European team to the unity of the US team
It certainly is interesting how we rush to create stories and explanations for the final score in a complicated golf competition, especially when a few putts holed or missed either way could have resulted in a different outcome!
The US wins the Ryder Cup!
A nine-year wait for US golf has come to an end. In an unforgettable final session, the US team has won the Ryder Cup for the first time in the 21st century!
The scene for this much-enjoyed victory was set impressively by young Anthony Kim who faced down the challenge of Sergio Garcia in the opening match. His success enlivened the crowd and sent a positive wave of energy down through the field, inspiring locals Kenny Perry & JB Holmes to win their games. Victories for the man-of-the-week Boo Weekley and finally, Jim Furyk, clinched the trophy.
Congratulations to the US team!!
Sunday Singles matches
The US team needs at least 5.5 points to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999. They have twelve opportunities to win points today in the singles matches. The captains have selected their line-ups as follows (Valhalla tee-off time):
1203 Anthony Kim v Sergio Garcia
1214 Hunter Mahan v Paul Casey
1225 Justin Leonard v Robert Karlsson
1236 Phil Mickelson v Justin Rose
1247 Kenny Perry v Henrik Stenson
1258 Boo Weekley v Oliver Wilson
1309 JB Holmes v Soren Hansen
1320 Jim Furyk v Miguel Angel Jimenez
1331 Stewart Cink v Graeme McDowell
1342 Steve Stricker v Ian Poulter
1353 Ben Curtis v Lee Westwood
1404 Chad Campbell v Padraig Harrington
A two point US lead at the end of Day 2
The US team holds a 9-7 lead going into the Sunday Singles at the 2008 Ryder Cup. The Saturday fourball matches were a close affair with three of the four matches decided on the 18th green. Some difficult putts were made, others were missed and when the dust settled, the spoils were evenly shared - two points a piece.
Saturday Fourball Results:
Weekley/Holmes beat Westwood/Hansen by 2&1
Curtis/Stricker vs Garcia/Casey - match halved
Perry/Furyk lost to McDowell/Poulter by 1 hole
Mickelson/Mahan vs Stenson/Karlsson - match halved
The Europeans close the gap
Following Saturday’s foursome matches, the US team now holds a 7-5 lead. The morning session was remarkable for the manner in which three of the four matches were so one-sided on the front nine - the English pair of Rose & Poulter raced into a 5-hole lead while both the Mickelson/Kim and Furyk/Perry combinations were 4-up. However, all leads were to be challenged by their opponents, with Mickelson & Kim fading dramatically and eventually losing to Wilson & Stenson.
Saturday foursome results:
Cink/Campbell lost to Poulter/Rose by 4&3
Leonard/Mahan v Jimenez/McDowell - match halved
Mickelson/Kim lost to Stenson/Wilson by 2&1
Furyk/Perry beat Harrington/Karlsson by 3&1
Day 2 Foursome Matches
With the US team holding a significant three-point lead, Paul Azinger has confidently sent out the exact same line-up for Saturday’s foursomes. If his team returns three points, as they did on Friday, then Europe are staring defeat right in the face.
Nick Faldo has really shaken up his selection, bringing in the idle man of Day 1, Oliver Wilson, but most surprisingly has dropped Garcia & Westwood (for the first time in their respective careers).
Saturday’s Foursome Matches (Local Valhalla time):
8.05 Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell v Ian Poulter and Justin Rose
8.20 Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan v Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell
8.35 Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim v Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson
8.50 Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry v Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson
What it says in the papers
With the sun yet to rise on Valhalla on Day 2 of the 2008 Ryder Cup, here is a selection of press analysis on the exciting happenings of Day 1 and some thoughts on what is to come on Day 2
- The Louisville Courier-Journal accurately captures the essence of Day 1 with their Pumped-up jump start headline.
Referring to the intensity of the crowd, Kim said: “It feels like I’m playing for the Lakers, and it’s the championship against the Celtics. It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true to be out here, and the fans in Kentucky are tremendous. This was a great day.”
- Despite sinking some heroic putts, Europe’s #1 player Padraig Harrington only managed to return a half-point from his two outings. The Irish Independent focuses on how things didn’t work out on the 18th green.
The script and recent history insisted Harrington’s putt must drop, giving European fans in the massive 40,000- strong gallery the opportunity to cheer one of the Ryder Cup’s greatest escapes … yet golf balls don’t follow any script. They merely go where they’re hit and Harrington’s Titleist rolled a good three feet past the hole on the high side.
- One of the heroes of Day 1 was Boooooo Weekley. As the afternoon progressed, every single movement that Boo made was greeted by huge roars of “Booooooooooo!!” from his adoring fans. At times, Boo resembled an orchestral conductor as he waved encouragement to the crowd. This apparently didn’t go down too well with some of the Europeans, as reported by the New York Post.
“You walk a fine line when you start doing that sort of thing - between using the crowd to your advantage when you’re at home, which you do by playing good golf, which they were doing - and going over the line where you take it too far,” Westwood said.
- The Telegraph ponders the surprise absence of Westwood and Garcia from the Saturday foursomes. Only time will tell if this gamble by Nick Faldo is inspired or merely an act of desperation. Azinger’s reaction reveals a lot.
Opposite number Paul Azinger was in the middle of a press conference when he was handed the pairings and could not hide a smile, although he was diplomatic when asked about the duo’s omission.
US lead after Day 1
The Ryder Cup rarely fails to provide drama. September 19th 2008 was no exception. Very few would have predicted a three point lead for the US team going into the second day but that’s where we stand. New American heroes have emerged: Anthony Kim, Boo Weekley and Hunter Mahan may not have been household names in the world of golf before today but few will forget the extraordinary scenes provided by them and players like Mickelson and Leonard.
Some of the European players have shone also, especially Westwood, Harrington and Rose but the scoreboard doesn’t lie. The Americans have hit more good shots and have made more putts.
The bookies are now rating the US team as 1/2 favourites. Nick Faldo knows his team must close that gap on Day 2. They have the players to do so. Bring it on!
Friday Fourball scores:
Mickelson/Kim bt Harrington/McDowell by 2 holes
Stricker/Curties lost to Poulter/Rose - 4&2
Leonard/Mahan bt Garcia/Jiminez - 4&3
Holmes/Weekley vs Westwood/Hansen - match halved
The pendulum swings to the US..
And so, a foursome session that looked at one stage like a one-sided victory for the Europeans turned dramatically into a 3-1 win for the US team. And the reality is that it should have been at least another half a point for the US team as Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry contrived to throw away a 2-up lead with two to play.
For the record, the results of the morning foursomes were as follows:
Mickelson/Kim vs Harrington/Karlsson - match halved
Leonard/Mahan bt Casey/Stenson 3&2
Campbell/Cink bt Rose/Poulter by one hole
Perry/Furyk vs Garcia/Westwood - match halved
The fourball matches began while the final foursome game was still finishing. The action and drama seems to come in unrelenting waves at the Ryder Cup!
An all-Irish pairing of Harrington & McDowell are leading off against Kim & Mickelson and have started really well, leading by two holes after eight. Despite their disappointing finish this morning, Poulter & Rose are back in action against two fresh players Stricker & Curtis - all square after five. Garcia & Jiminez are already two holes down against Leonard/Mahan, who have started the fourball as they finished the foursomes. The home crowd are loving the final pairing of Weekley & Holmes as they battle with Westwood & Hansen.
Oliver Wilson is the proverbial odd man out as he’s alone amongst the 24 players in Valhalla not to have played on the opening day. GIven Europe’s harshly learned lesson of not playing three rookies until the singles back in ‘99, it’s likely that Faldo will give a chance to Wilson on Saturday.
Day 1 well under way
All four foursome matches are now on the course. The first hole has been very successful for the Europeans with three of their pairings going 1up. Overall, it’s been a disappointing start from the American team although they have begun to make some good putts to win back some holes.
The lead pairing of Mickelson and Kim have really begun to find their game. Having lost the first hole, they were gifted a hole on the third when Harrington hit straight into the hazard on the right of the green, from which Karlsson couldn’t wrestle the ball free. This looks like being an epic contest and could well have a significant impact on the outcome of the overall competition.
Leonard & Mahan had a miserable start losing the first two holes to par but have settled down to win the next two holes with birdies.
The English pair of Poulter & Rose have taken the lead with a birdie at the 3rd, having halved the first two holes.
Europe’s final pair, Westwood & Garcia, have started very well but just barely missed a birdie putt on the 2nd. Local fave, Kenny Perry, sank a monster putt on the 3rd to the delight of the home crowd.
A lot happening all at once. Both teams winning holes but Europe have a slight edge. For now.
Here we go!
To competing chants of “USA! USA! USA!” and “Ole, ole, ole!” from a raucous crowd at the 1st tee, the 37th Ryder Cup matches have begun.
The honour of hitting the first shot fell to double-major winner, Padraig Harrington. He hit a magnificent drive, putting the ball in the perfect position for his partner, Robert Karlsson, to attack the green. Phil Mickelson faced the onerous task of matching Harrington’s perfect drive and he rose to the occasion, hitting the ball a good 30 yds past where the European ball lay. What a start!
However, the European had the last laugh (at the first hole!) when Karlsson hit a superb iron shot to 10ft allowing Harrington to sink the putt. Kim’s approach shot gave Mickelson a 30ft challenge, which he couldn’t meet. First blood to the Europeans.
Friday’s Foursome Pairings
Following a long and sometimes painful opening ceremony, the pairings for Friday morning have been announced.
1. Mickelson/Kim vs Harrington/Karlsson
2. Leonard/Mahan vs Casey/Stenson
3. Campbell/Cink vs Rose/Poulter
4. Perry/Furyk vs Garcia/Westwood
The players on the US team who will sit out the first session are Holmes, Stricker, Weekley & Curtis. For Europe, Jimenez, McDowell, Hansen & Wilson will watch from the sidelines.
So, where’s your money?
The Las Vegas wise guys and European bookies agree - the European team are favourites to win the Ryder Cup. Only the Irish bookie Paddy Power is brave enough to go ‘odds against’ on the European team, all others see them as odds-on favourites. This is an unprecedented situation in Ryder Cup history as US teams have always been favourites on home soil. But having seen two very comfortable European victories, the bookies are taking no chances.
There are many wild and wonderful ways to speculate on this competition. Here are a few interesting wagers:
- The US team are as big as 13/8 to lead after Day One. Even a 4.5-3.5 lead will do!
- Sergio Garcia is the hot favourite to win the most points at 7/1. Some interesting alternatives include Anthony Kim (14/1), Justin Leonard (18/1) and Justin Rose (25/1)
- Source of much controversy, Ian Poulter, is best-priced at 9/2 to be the top English points scorer
- The odds of a hole-in-one are just 5/1. Seems quite low but then it appears that the Ryder Cup attracts the dramatic
- If you think 7&6 would be the biggest winning margin, then 10/1 are your odds
Press round-up
With all the players now well settled in Valhalla, it appears that every golf journalist in the world has followed them to Kentucky. In the absence of any significant news - no real clarity on pairings or no unexpected events - much of the focus is on good old-fashioned previews. Here’s a sample of some of the more interesting media outputs in the build-up to Friday’s competition:
ESPN’s Jason Sobel asks 18 pertinent questions, the first being ‘Can the US actually win this thing?’. The answer is yes.
The Telegraph have a fascinating interview with Paul McGinley which poses some questions about whether the European locker-room will have the winning dynamic of recent competitions. It seems they will have a drum kit though. And DJ Spoony.
In recent years, traveling sports teams have tended to prevent players from having ‘exclusive diaries’ in the papers. However, it seems that Justin Rose has a diary in the Times. No major revelations as yet. The most exciting news is that Ryder Cup is embroidered on their pillows and blankets.
The Ryder Cup is a global event. This piece in The Australian suggests that Tiger’s absence is, in fact, a good thing for the US team.
The local Louisville Courier Journal has the inside scoop on young Kentuckian JB Holmes. Will the passion of the local supporters be stirred by the presence of Holmes and Perry?
And if you that was a local spin, then how about this. The University of Kentucky has the exciting news that their Wildcat Marching Band will play at the opening ceremony!
Reflections on team selection
As the teams gather in Kentucky, some final thoughts on the two teams..
- All of the controversy generated by Nick Faldo’s wild card selections (as we more or less predicted) will be forgotten about if Poulter and Casey play their part in a European victory. Of course, the opposite is equally true. If Europe loses and Ian Poulter struggles then the press will be on Faldo’s back all the way to Christmas.
- Talk of an English bias on Faldo’s part appears to be unfair. It is possible to make an argument that both Faldo and Poulter have very ‘English’ personalities and that Faldo would find some of Poulter’s strengths more appealing than, say, Olazabal or Monty might. But to suggest that Faldo showed national bias in picking Poulter over Clarke stretches the point too far. Remember that if Luke Donald’s wrist was in good shape, he would almost certainly have taken Poulter’s place. And he’s English too!
- Many have argued that the absence of Clarke and Monty will mean that the team will lack leadership. This remains to be seen but it’s difficult to imagine that a team with players like Garcia and Harrington will be a rudderless ship. Garcia has been sensational as a Ryder Cup player and there’s no reason to expect that he won’t play a leading role once more.
- Paul Azinger has played the local card with his selection of JB Holmes. At the press conference where his final team line-up was announced, Azinger pointedly highlighted the fact Holmes was a local boy and that he was a bomber (hits it long off the tee!) before mentioning his name. Anyone who experienced the visceral roar that greeted Darren Clarke’s arrival at the first tee in the K Club in 2006 will understand how local passion can create a magical dynamic.
- With all the talk about the loss of leadership on the European side, the US team has no fewer than six rookies on board. Monty has advanced the argument this week that Europe’s victory in 2004 came down to the rookies delivering. It’s obvious that a US triumph in 08 will require a significant contribution from these new players.
- As for which pairing combinations would work the best, well, let’s just say that those scientists at CERN with the 17-mile long accelerator have an easier job than trying to work out the Ryder Cup pairings…
US Ryder Cup Team 2008
The US Team for Ryder Cup 2008 is:
* Phil Mickelson
* Stewart Cink
* Kenny Perry
* Jim Furyk
* Anthony Kim
* Justin Leonard
* Ben Curtis
* Boo Weekley
* Steve Stricker
* Hunter Mahan
* J.B. Holmes
* Chad Campbell.
Azinger Picks Stricker, Mahan, Holmes and Campbell
Paul Azinger has announced his 4 wild card picks to complete his team for next months Ryder Cup Matches at Valhalla. They are Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, J.B. Holmes and Chad Campbell.
European Ryder Cup Team 2008
The European Team for Ryder Cup 2008 is:
*Padraig Harrington (Ire)
*Sergio Garcia (Spn)
*Lee Westwood (Eng)
*Henrik Stenson (Swe)
*Robert Karlsson (Swe)
*Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spn)
*Graeme McDowell (NI)
*Justin Rose (Eng)
*Soren Hansen (Den)
*Oliver Wilson (Eng)
*Paul Casey (Eng)
*Ian Poulter (Eng)
Faldo Picks Ian Poulter and Paul Casey
Nick Faldo has announced his wild card picks to complete his team for next months Ryder Cup Matches at Valhalla. Ian Poulter and Paul Casey complete the European Lineup.
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